CN1295702C - Readable recording medium for optical disc and computer - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical disc including: a data area storing one or more video objects; and a time map area storing time map information. Each video object includes a plurality of video object units. The time map information includes a first time table and a second time table for each video object. Each first time table includes: addresses of video object units in a corresponding video object; and indicators. The addresses are arranged in order and indicate storage positions of the video object units that correspond to reproduction points that differ by a predetermined time unit. The predetermined time unit is longer than a maximum reproduction period of a video object unit. The indicators specify the video object units which respectively correspond to the addresses. Each second time table includes an entry for each video object unit in the corresponding video object. The entries are arranged in order. Each second time table includes a reproduction period and a data size of each video object unit.

Description

A reproduction method and a recording method

This application is a divisional application of Chinese application 98801363.0 (corresponding to international application PCT/JP98/04170) filed on May 17, 1999 with the title of "Optical Disc, Recording Apparatus, and Computer-Readable Recording Medium".

technical field

The present invention relates to an optical disc for recording video data, a recording apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium for recording a file management program.

Background technique

Recently, optical disks such as compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs) and digital versatile disks (DVD) read-only memories (ROMs) have been used to record video data (also referred to as audio-visual (AV) data in this material) such as movies, and are used as secondary memory for computers. At present, since it is generally expected that digital versatile disc-random access memories (DVD-RAMs) will be popularized as the main recording medium of the next generation, practical use of DVD-RAMs is expected.

First, general-purpose DVD-RAMs are clarified with special reproduction. Special reproduction involves fast-forwarding and rewinding AV data at a rate n times higher than the normal reproduction rate (hereinafter such a rate is referred to as n-rate).

AV data to be recorded in DVD-ROMs is compressed at a variable bit rate using a compression coding method to increase the compression rate. "Variable bit rate" means that the amount of compressed video data per frame is variable. As a result, the amount of compressed data is not proportional to the reproduction period. When this happens, even if the encoded AV data is read at constant intervals, that is, at each predetermined size of the encoded AV data, the read AV data and the sectioned image of each predetermined time period Does not correspond.

In order to associate the amount of compressed data with the reproduction period, information for each specific reproduction is inserted at necessary points in the AV data of DVD-ROMs.

More specifically, AV data is compressed according to MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2). Through compression, information of so-called normal value (NV) packs unique to DVD is added to the start point of each group of pictures (GOP). GOPs are segments each having a period of 0.4 to 1 second. Exceptionally, one end of a video object (VOB) has a GOP of 1.2 seconds. Data included between one NA pack and the next NV pack is called a Video Object Unit (VOBU).

Each NV packet contains two kilobytes of information for accessing adjacent VN packets. Each NV pack also contains the data capacity of the first reference picture in the GOP. The information used to access adjacent NV packs is composed of the relative addresses of the NV packs of the forward and reverse VOBUs separated from this VOBU by a predetermined time period, and the relative addresses are based on the start time code of this VOBU acquired. The predetermined time period can be from 1 to 15, 20, 60, 120 and 240 seconds.

Next, operations for specific reproductions such as fast forward and rewind are described. Special reproduction at a substantially constant rate can be realized only by reproducing reference pictures of VOBUs having predetermined time intervals therein at the reproduction rate. In order to sequentially read out VOBUs having predetermined time intervals therein, information for accessing adjacent NV packs in each NV pack is used.

In each time code, a time search map is recorded in which time codes are arranged at predetermined time intervals from the beginning of the AV data. The time search map designates the address of a part of AV data in the VOBU corresponding to the current time code. By accessing the time search map, the reproducing apparatus can start reproducing AV data starting from a specific time code.

However, it has been impossible to record data in real time into recording media such as DVD-RAMs using a method of inserting special reproduction information into AV data.

This is because in real-time recording of AV data, information on a part of AV data to be recorded from now on (for example, addresses of NV packs in the reverse direction) cannot be obtained.

Also, after AV data is recorded, it is possible to generate special reproduction information to be recorded in each NV pack. However, recording the generated information into the AV data storage area as NV packs requires the same number of disc accesses as the number of VOBUs. This cannot be achieved in real time.

One may think that by storing AV data and specific reproduction information in different AV data areas, this problem will be solved. However, this solution has additional problems in that the special reproduction information is stored in the main memory, which should have a large capacity, and the storage of the special reproduction information in the main memory must perform special reproduction at a high rate.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical disc recording apparatus for generating a reduced amount of special reproduction information at the time of recording AV data on the disc in real time, and an optical disc on which data is recorded by means of the optical disc recording apparatus.

The above objects can be achieved by means of an optical disc comprising a data area storing one or more video objects and a time mapping area storing time mapping information, where each video object contains a plurality of video object units, for each video The object time map information includes a pair of first time table and second time table, each first time table contains: the address of the video object unit in the corresponding video object, the address is arranged in order and indicates the video corresponding to the reproduction point Storage locations of object units differing by a predetermined time unit, the predetermined time unit being longer than the maximum reproduction period of the video object unit; Regarding the entries of each video object unit in the corresponding video object, the entries are arranged in order and each entry contains the reproduction period of the video object unit and the data amount of the video object unit.

With the above structure, the first time table has a smaller capacity because the first time table only records the memory locations of video object units at predetermined intervals. For the second schedule, there is no need to record the storage locations of the respective video object units related to the reproduction points. The second time table also contains the reproduction period and data amount for each video object unit. Thus, the second schedule also has a smaller capacity because the reproduction period is smaller in capacity than the data amount. When data is recorded on an optical disc, it is very easy to generate the second schedule because the second schedule is recorded in units of video object units which are encoding units.

In the above optical disc, each first time table may contain a plurality of first time maps, each map corresponding to a different reproduction point, and each second time table may contain a plurality of second time maps, each corresponding to in one of several different video object units. Each first time map contains: one of the pointers indicating the second time map corresponding to the video object unit of the reproduction point, the address of the video object unit corresponding to the reproduction point, and the corresponding reproduction point and the corresponding The difference information of the difference between the reproduction start times of the video object units, and each second time map contains time information indicating the reproduction period of the corresponding video object unit, and also contains the data amount of the corresponding video object unit.

In the above-mentioned optical disc, the time map information may include time offsets for each video object, each time offset indicating the first reproduction point during the reproduction of the corresponding video object and the first video in the corresponding video object. The difference between the start times of the object units.

With the above structure, even if the first part of the video object is trimmed by editing, the time map information can be corrected without difficulty by changing the value of the time offset.

The above objects are also achieved by means of recording apparatus comprising: input means for receiving video data in time series; compression means for compressing the received video data to generate a video object comprising a sequence of video object units; converting the data writing means for writing on the optical disc; and a controller for controlling the writing means, where the controller controls the writing means to write the generated video objects on the optical disc, make the first schedule and the second schedule, and Control the writing means to write the first time table and the second time table made, each first time table includes: the address of the video object unit in the corresponding video object, the address is arranged in order and specifies the video object unit memory locations corresponding to reproduction points differing by a predetermined time unit, the predetermined time unit being longer than the maximum reproduction period of the video object unit; The two-time table contains entries for each video object unit in the corresponding video object, the entries are arranged in order and each entry contains a reproduction period of the video object unit and a data amount of the video object unit.

With the above structure, the first time table has a smaller capacity because the first time table only records the memory locations of video object units at predetermined intervals. For the second schedule, there is no need to record the storage locations of the respective video object units related to the reproduction points. The second time table also contains the reproduction period and data amount for each video object unit. Thus, the second schedule also has a smaller capacity because the reproduction period is smaller in capacity than the data amount. It is very easy to make the second schedule when the data is recorded on the optical disc, because the second schedule is recorded in units of video object units which are encoding units.

In the recording apparatus described above, each first time table may contain a plurality of first time maps, each map corresponding to a different reproduction point, and each second time table may contain a plurality of second time maps, each of which Corresponds to one of several different video object units. Each first time map contains: one of the pointers indicating the second time map corresponding to the video object unit of the reproduction point, the address of the video object unit corresponding to the reproduction point, and the corresponding reproduction point and the corresponding The difference information of the difference between the reproduction start times of the video object units, and each second time map contains time information indicating the reproduction period of the corresponding video object unit, and also contains the data amount of the corresponding video object unit.

In the recording apparatus described above, the time map information may include time offsets for each video object, each time offset indicating the difference between the first reproduction point during the reproduction of the corresponding video object and the first video point in the corresponding video object. The difference between the start times of the object units.

With the above structure, even if the first part of the video object is trimmed by editing, it is possible to correct the time map information without difficulty by changing the value of the time offset.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the appearance and recording area of DVD-RAM disk, and this disk is the optical disk of the present invention described in embodiment;

Figure 2 shows the cross-section and surface of a DVD-RAM cut at the sector header

Fig. 3 shows a plurality of area ranges and other ranges of No. 0-23 configured on the DVD-RAM;

Figure 3B shows the horizontal arrangement of the 0-23 area range and other ranges;

Figure 3C shows the logical segment numbers (LSNs) in the capacity area;

Figure 3D shows logical block numbers (LBNs) in the capacity area;

Figure 4 shows the hierarchical relationship between the area scope, error correction code (ECC) blocks, and sectors;

FIG. 5 shows a session management table (slot map) and a continuous recording area management table recorded in the capacity area;

Figure 6 shows the hierarchical directory structure of AV files and non-AV files;

Fig. 7 shows VOBs recorded as AV files "Movie 1.VOB", "Movie 2.VOB", . . . ;

Figure 8 shows the content of the AV data management file "real-time rewritable.IFO" ("RTRW.IFO") hierarchically;

Fig. 9 shows the logical relationship between the title search pointer table, the program cell (PGC) information table and VOBs;

Figure 10 shows the data structure of the AV file, i.e. VOB;

FIG. 11 shows a data structure corresponding to time map information of a VOB;

Figure 12 shows the logical relationship between the time map table and the VOBU table;

Figure 13 shows the time offset, which indicates the time difference between the start time of the VOB and the time of the first time map;

FIG. 14 shows the structure of a system including the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus of this embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the DVD recorder 10;

Figure 16 shows the remote control;

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MPEG encoder 2;

Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MPEG encoder 4;

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the DVD recorder 10 according to component functions;

FIG. 20 shows a command table supported by the AV file system device 103 and the common file system device 104 for file management;

Figure 21 shows a guide image;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the recording process performed by the AV data recording apparatus 110;

Figure 23 shows an example of mapping group (GOP) information;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the process of generating and recording the AV file management information by the AV file management information generating means 112;

Fig. 25 shows time mapping table and VOBU table generated according to GOP information;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a general reproduction process performed by the AV data reproduction apparatus 130;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the reproduction process completed when the user specifies the start and end times in the title; and

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the special reproduction process performed by the AV data reproduction apparatus 130.

Detailed ways

(1) CD

FIG. 1 shows the appearance and recording area of a DVD-RAM disc, which is an optical disc. As shown in the figure, a DVD-RAM disc has a lead-in area at its innermost edge, a lead-out area at its outermost edge, and a data area in between. The lead-in area records reference signals necessary for servo stabilization during photosensor access, and identification signals to prevent confusion with the base medium. The lead-out area records the same type of reference signal as the lead-in area.

The data area, meanwhile, is divided into sectors, which are the smallest unit of DVD-RAM that can be accessed. Here, the capacity of each sector is set to 2 kilobits. Data recorded in the data area includes file system management information, AV data, AV data management files, and non-AV data.

The file system management information includes the directory structure of the DVD-RAM disc, the location of the recorded files, and information about the allocation of the data area. File system management information is used when files are created, written, read or deleted.

AV data is recorded in file units respectively corresponding to video objects (VOBs). VOBs are successively recorded on a disc by means of a disc recording apparatus. The content of VOBs is, for example, whole or parts of movies, or whole or parts of television programs. Each VOB consists of a number of Video Object Units (VOBUs).

Each VOBU contains AV data corresponding to 0.4 to 1.2 seconds at present. Each VOBU contains at least one mapping group (GOP), and GOP is an image data segment stipulated by the MPEG2 standard. Each GOP contains at least one inner (I)-map defined in accordance with the MPEG2 standard, where each GOP can also contain predictive (P)-maps and bidirectional predictive (B)-maps defined in accordance with the MPEG2 standard. This enables independent reproduction of GOPs. In particular, in special reproduction such as fast forward and rewind, or reproduction at a certain time, I-pictures are extracted in GOPs to be reproduced. In other words, I-pictures are extracted as reference pictures for P- or B-maps to be reproduced.

The AV data management file is a file for managing AV data in the DVD-RAM. This file contains one or more time map information corresponding to one or more VOBs. The time map information shows the relationship between reproduction points (times) and storage locations of AV files (ie, VOBs). The time map information is used to convert an arbitrary VOB reproduction time into a VOB storage location. Time map information has a hierarchical data structure. That is, the time map information contains a first time table and a second time table in a hierarchical structure.

The first time table (also known as time mapping table or TMAP table) includes: the storage location (segment address: logical segment number (LSNs)) of the video object unit in the corresponding video object, with a difference of a predetermined time unit (such as 60 seconds), and pointers for determining video object units respectively corresponding to the storage positions.

The second time table (also called VOBU table) contains entries about each video unit in the corresponding video object, the entries are arranged in order and each entry contains the reproduction period of the video object unit and the data amount of the video object unit.

Fig. 2 shows the cross-section and surface of a DVD-RAM cut at the sector header. As shown in the figure, each section is composed of a pit sequence and an uneven portion formed on the surface of a reflective film, such as a metal film.

The pit sequence consists of pits from 0.4 μm to 1.87 μm, all of which are cut into the surface of the DVD-RAM to represent sector addresses.

The uneven part consists of concave parts called "grooves" and convex parts called "lands". Each trench and land has a recording mark, which consists of a phase-change metal film attached to its surface. Here, the term "capable of phase change" means that a recording mark can be in a crystalline state or an amorphous state depending on whether the metal film is exposed to a light beam. Using this phase change characteristic, data can be recorded on this uneven portion. Although it is only possible to record data on the land portion of a magneto-optical disk (MO), data can be recorded on both the land and groove portions of DVD-RAM, which means that the recording density of DVD-RAM exceeds that of magneto-optical disks. Difference correction information is provided for each set of 16 sectors on the DVD-RAM. In the present embodiment, each group of 16 sectors assigned an error correction code (ECC) is called an ECC block.

On a DVD-RAM, the data area is divided into zone ranges during recording and reproduction to achieve so-called zone-constant linear velocity (Z-CLV) rotation detection.

FIG. 3A shows a plurality of area ranges arranged on a DVD-RAM. As shown in the figure, DVD-RAM is divided into 24 area ranges numbered as area 0 to area 23. Each zone extent is a set of traces that are accessed using the same angular velocity. In this embodiment, each zone extent contains 1888 tracks. The rotational angular velocity of DVD-RAM is set individually for each area range, and the area located closer to the inner edge of the disc has a higher speed. This ensures that the photosensor moves at a constant rate when access is done in a single area. In doing so, the recording density of DVD-RAM is increased, and rotation control becomes easier during recording and reproduction.

FIG. 3B shows the lateral arrangement of the lead-in region, lead-out region, and regions 0-23 shown in FIG. 3A.

Each lead-in and lead-out area has a fault management area (DMA) inside. DMA record: position information indicating the position of the sector found to contain a fault, and replacement position information indicating the position of the sector in the replacement area to replace the faulty sector.

Each area range has a user area inside, and a replacement area and an unused area arranged at the boundary between the area ranges. The user area is an area that can be used by the file system as a recording area. The replacement area is used to replace the faulty sector when the above-mentioned faulty sector is found. The unused area is an area not used for recording data. Only two tracks are allocated as unused areas, and such unused areas are configured to prevent erroneous recognition of sector addresses. This is because while the sector address is recorded at the same position in adjacent tracks within the same area, for Z-CLV the sector address is recorded at a different position in adjacent tracks at the area boundary.

In this way, sectors not used for recording data exist at the boundaries between area ranges. Therefore, Logical Sector Numbers (LSNs) on the DVD-RAM are sequentially assigned to physical sectors of the user area from the inner edge to sequentially show sectors only for recording data.

As shown in FIG. 3C, an area in which user data is recorded and composed of sectors assigned 2SNs is called a capacity area.

And, as shown in FIG. 3D, in the innermost and outermost edges, capacity structure information is recorded for dealing with the disc as a logical capacity. The rest of the volume area except for recording volume structure information is called a split area. Detached area record file. Logical block numbers (LBNs) are assigned to the sectors of the split area sequentially from the first sector.

Fig. 4 shows the hierarchical relationship among area ranges, ECC blocks, and sections. As shown in the figure, each extent contains a plurality of ECC blocks. It should be noted here that in an optical disc, the areas in the sector unit are allocated to non-AV data, while the areas in the continuous recording area unit are all allocated to AV data so that each continuous recording area ensures uninterrupted movement of AV data. reproduce. Here, each continuous recording area is composed of consecutive sectors in ECC block units (in other words, each area is an integral multiple of ECC blocks) and has a predetermined capacity [approximately] megabyte (MB)] or more Multiple, each consecutive recording area does not exceed the boundary between areas. However, when AV data contains a plurality of extents, the final extent may be smaller than a predetermined amount. The reason for specifying that each continuous recording area does not exceed the boundary between areas is that exceeding the boundary will change the rotational angular velocity of the disc, which will interfere with uninterrupted reproduction. The reason why each continuous recording area is an integral multiple of the ECC block is that the ECC block is the smallest unit processed in the ECC process.

Fig. 5 shows a session management table (slot map) and a continuous recording area management table. The session management table is recorded in the separate area of the capacity area and included in the file system management information. The consecutive recording area management table is used to manage the consecutive recording area. The figure also shows the hierarchical relationship among capacity areas, sections and section contents.

The first layer represents the capacity area shown in Fig. 3D.

The second level represents the range of sectors including the sector management table. Segment ranges are all contained within a detached region. A sector management table (also known as a slot map) showing data allocation for each sector is recorded in a sector range with logical block numbers 0-79. The continuous recording area management table recorded as a non-AV file and as a normal file is not recorded in a fixed area.

As shown in the third level, the "Slot Map" column shows whether the sectors contained in the split area are allocated or not. In this example, the allocation status of each sector is indicated by a bit. For example, sectors for logical block numbers 0-79 are assigned a "0" bit (indicating "allocated") because these sectors have been allocated as slot maps.

As shown in the third layer, the continuous recording area management table shows ranges in separate areas that have been assigned as continuous recording areas. In FIG. 5, the continuous recording area management table is depicted as a one-column table in the form of entries e1, e2, e3, e4, . . . Outside the left side of the table, the relative address (number of bytes) of the entry relative to the beginning of the table is shown.

As shown from left to right in the figure, each entry is composed of a start segment number (LSN), an end segment number and an indicator character. A session between a given start session number and an end session number corresponds to part or the entire continuous recording area. Indicator characters indicate the location of the next entry by virtue of their relative addresses. The last entry indicator is the value "-1", which indicates that it is the last entry.

In the example of the present invention shown in FIG. 5, the entry e1 is a continuous recording area containing consecutive sectors having sector numbers 6848 to 15983. The entry e1 is information (pointing character) indicating that the next entry e2 is an area starting from the 12th byte. The other entries are all similar to entry e1. In this example, entries e1-e4 are all in the form of a continuous recording area consisting of consecutive sectors with sector numbers 6848-31983. This implies that AV data has been recorded 4 times and each time AV data is recorded, the continuous recording area is added.

The empty bitmap column shall be written out with the allocation of the contiguous recording area. For example, in an optical disk recording apparatus, an area allocated as a continuous recording area is also displayed in the slot map column as an allocated area.

Fig. 6 shows an example of a file system of a DVD-RAM in which AV data and non-AV data files are recorded.

In the figure, ovals represent directories, and rectangles represent files.

The root directory bifurcates into "Real Time Rewritable" ("RTRW") and two non-AV files "File1.devt" and "File2.dat". The directory "RTRW" is branched into a plurality of AV data files "movie1.VOB", "movie2.VOB", . . . and an AVO data management file "realtime rewritable.IFO". As shown in FIG. 7, the AV data files "Movie 1.VOB", "Movie 2.VOB", . . . are stored as VOBs in the data area, respectively.

(1-2) AV data management file

Fig. 8 hierarchically shows the contents of the AV data management file "TRTW.IFO" shown in Fig. 6 . As shown in FIG. 8, the AV data management file includes a title search designation character table 810, an AV file management table 820, and a program cell (PGC) information table 830. Figure 9 shows the logical relationship between these tables and video objects.

The title search indicator table 810 contains a list of titles recorded in the DVD-RAM. Here, the title may be a program that has been recorded by the user or has been edited by the user. 8 and 9 show only the title search designating characters 811, 812, . . . included in the title search designating character table.

The title search indicator characters 811, 812, . . . are all indicator characters for indicating PGCs (or PGC information) corresponding to the title. For example, the title search indicator character 811 indicates PGC information 831 . Here, each PGC is formed of arbitrary AV data sectors of arbitrary VOBs, and the sectors are logically connected. Each piece of PGC information shows a logical relationship between arbitrary AV data sectors of a plurality of arbitrary VOBs.

The AV file management table 820 shows the relationship between reproduction points (times) and storage locations of AV files (ie, VOBs). The table contains as many pieces of VOB information (VOB information 821, 822) as the number of VOBs.

Each VOB information 821, 822... contains VOB general information and time map information. The VOB general information is information unique to each VOB, such as the reproduction cycle. The time map information represents the relationship between reproduction points (times) and storage locations of VOBUs.

The VOB common information 821a includes the identifier of the present VOB and the playback period of the VOB.

The time map information 821b includes the first time table and the second time table described above.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first time table (time map table) is composed of No. 1, No. 2, ... time maps, which include: VOBUs located on the time coordinates with the start time of this VOB as the starting point storage locations (sector addresses), the storage locations are arranged sequentially and correspond to reproduction points differing by a predetermined time unit (eg, 60 seconds); and pointers for specifying VOBUs respectively corresponding to the storage locations.

The second schedule (VOBU table) is composed of No. 1, No. 2, ... VOBU maps, which include: the reproduction cycle and data volume of VOBUs, and the VOBU maps are drawn according to the reproduction order of the corresponding VOBUs from the starting point of this VOB arrangement.

The PGC information table 830 includes a plurality of PGC information segments 831, 832, . . .

A plurality of PGC information pieces 831, 832, ... are each a table containing a list of video sections in the VOB, the video sections being arranged in reproduction order. Information that determines a video segment is called a cell. Each cell identifies a video segment in a VOB by its start time and end time. Each piece of PGC information represents logically connected video sections of AV data determined by these units.

Each cell 831a, 831b, . . . contains an AV file identifier, a VOB identifier, and a pair of start time and end time of a video segment.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, a sequence of AV data corresponding to the title is recognized in the following procedure: title search indicator character 811→PGC information 8310→cells 831a to 831c→VOB information 821, 822→No. 1, No. 2 VOB . In this example, the AV data corresponding to the title is composed of two VOBUs No. 1 and No. 2. The simplest example of PGC information, as in the case of the most recently recorded title, is expressed as: a title→a piece of PGC information→a cell→a piece of VOB information→a VOB. In this case, one title consists of one VOB.

Fig. 10 shows the data structure of an AV file, or VOB. As shown in the figure, each VOB is composed of multiple VOBUs. Each VOBU is an AV data segment containing compressed video data and audio data corresponding to about 0.5 seconds of reproduction and at least one I-picture. Each VOBU consists of a sequence of interleaved video packs (V-PCK) and audio packs (A-PCK). Each pack contains a pack header, packet header, and video/audio data, and has the same size as the sector size (2KB). Packets corresponding to assembled packets are defined in MPEG2.

Fig. 11 shows the data structure of time map information corresponding to VOBs. In the figure, time map information 821b shows the correlation between the reproduction point and storage location of VOBs. Time map information 821b is composed of time map general information 8210, time map table 8220, and VOBU table 8230. Fig. 12 shows the logical relationship between the time map table and the VOBU table.

Time map general information 8210 includes the number of time maps and the number of VOBU maps included in the time map information, indicates a time unit (also referred to as TMU) for a predetermined time period set between time maps, and indicates the start of this VOB. The time offset (aka TM-OFS) of the time difference between the time and the time of the first time map.

The time map table 8220 includes a plurality of time maps 8211, 8212, . The time map 8211 specifies the VOBU map corresponding to the time obtained by shifting the time to the start time of the present VOB. The time map 8212 determines the VOBU map corresponding to the time when one TMU was added to the time map 8211 to the time. The time map 8213 determines the VOBU map corresponding to the time obtained by adding two TMUs to the time of the time map 8211. Subsequent time maps determine corresponding VOBU maps in a similar manner.

Normally, the time offset is "0", where, as described above, the time of the time map 8211 matches the start time of this VOB. For example, when the first part of the VOB is deleted by editing, the time offset shows a value other than "0".

Fig. 13 shows the logical relationship between the time map table and the VOBU table when the first part of the VOB is deleted. As understood from the figure, TM-OFS in this example represents the time difference between the start time of this VOB and the time of the first time map, and it is set equal to the VOB reproduction time of the first part where the VOB is deleted. This reduces the amount of computation required to make the time map.

The recurrence point of time map No. 1 (also referred to as time map time) is expressed as:

Time Map Time=(TMU ^* (i-1)+TM_OFS).

The time maps 8211, 8212, . . . each contain a VOBU map number, a time difference (also known as TM_DIFF), and a VOBU address (also known as VOBU_ADR).

The VOBU map number 8212a is a VOBU map number corresponding to the time map time of the time map 8212.

TM_DIFF 8212b is the difference between the start time of this VOBU and the corresponding time mapping time. The start time of VOBU#j is expressed as:

VOBU start time = (TMU ^* (j-1)+TM_OFS-TM_DIFF)

VOBU-ADR 8212C is the address indicating the starting point of VOBU (sector address of four bytes).

VOBU table 8230 is a table including VOBU maps 8231, 8232, .

The VOBU maps 8231, 8232, . . . each contain the size of the reference picture, the VOBU reproduction time, and the size of the VOBU.

The size of the reference picture 8232a is the size of the first I-map of the VOBU. The size 8232a is used to read reference images in particular rendering runs and renderings at certain times.

The VOBU reproduction time 8232b is a period for a VOBU to be reproduced: the time 8232b is represented by one byte. The time 8232b is used to detect object images in special reproduction runs and reproductions at certain times. That is, the reproducing apparatus continues sequentially adding the reproduction time of each VOBU to the start time of the VOBU until the result of the addition matches the time of the VOBU corresponding to the target picture. The reproduction apparatus detects the target VOBU and then ascertains the target image from the detected VOBU.

The VOBU size 8232c is the data volume of the VOBU. There are two bytes of VOBU size indicating the VOBU size by the number of sectors. The size 8232c is used to detect the size of the object image in the run of the special reproduction and in the reproduction at a certain time.

(2) Recording/reproducing instrument

The optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(2-1) The whole system

FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a system including the optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment.

The system includes an optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus 10 (also referred to as a DVD recorder 10 ), a remote controller 6 for operating the DVD recorder 10 , a display 12 of the DVD recorder connected to the DVD recorder 10 , and an antenna 9 .

After the DVD-RAM disc is loaded, the DVD recorder 10 compresses the video/audio data contained in the analog broadcast wave received through the antenna 9, and records the compressed data on the DVD-RAM disc as an AV file. , expand the compressed video/audio data, and output the expanded video/audio signal to the display 12.

(2-2) Hardware structure of DVD recorder 10

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of the DVD recorder 10. As shown in FIG.

The DVD recorder 10 includes a controller 1 , an MPEG encoder 2 , a disc access device 3 , an MPEG decoder 4 , a video signal processing device 5 , a remote controller 6 , a bus 7 , a remote controller signal receiving device 8 , and a receiver 9 .

The controller 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1a, a processor bus 16, a bus interface 1c, and a main memory 1d. The controller 1 executes programs stored in the main memory 1d, and controls the entire DVD recorder 10 through recording, reproduction, editing, and the like. Specifically, after an AV file (VOB) containing AV data is recorded, the controller 1 completes VOB information and PGC information corresponding to the recorded VOB, and records or modifies the AV data management file. In addition, when AV data is reproduced, the controller obtains a sector address determined by its start and end times in a unit contained in the PGC information in the AV data management file shown in FIG. 9 from the VOB information. . The controller then reads and reproduces the session. In particular, in the case of special reproduction, for fast forward or rewind, the controller 1 references the VOB information to sequentially obtain addresses of reference pictures arranged at intervals of a predetermined period (eg, 5 seconds or -5 seconds).

The MPEG encoder 2 compresses video/audio data contained in analog broadcast waves received through an antenna and generates an MPEG stream.

The disc access device 3 with the track buffer 3a records the MPEG stream received by the MPEG encoder 2 into the DVD-RAM disc through the track buffer 3a under the control of the controller 1, and from the DVD-RAM disc The MPEG stream is read, and the read MPEG stream is output to the MPEG decoder 4 through the track buffer 3a.

The MPEG decoder 4 expands the compressed stream read by the disc access device 3, and outputs the expanded video data and audio signal.

The video signal processing device 5 converts the video data output from the MPEG decoder into a video signal for the display 12 .

The remote control signal receiving means 8 receives the remote control signal from the remote control 6 and notifies the controller 1 of the operation instructed by the user.

As shown in FIG. 14, the DVD recorder 10 is constructed on the premise that it is used as a replacement for a video tape recorder (VTR) for home use. Not limited to the configuration, when a DVD-RAM disc is used as a recording medium for a computer, the following configurations are possible. That is, as a DVD-RAM drive apparatus, the disc access device 3 is connected to a computer bus through an interface called a small computer system interface (SCSI) or an integrated device circuit (IDE). Furthermore, components other than the disc access device 3 shown in FIG. 3 are also implemented or operated when an operating system (OS) and application programs are executed on computer hardware.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MPEG encoder 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the MPEG encoder 2 includes a video encoder 2a, a video buffer 2b for storing the output of the video encoder, and an audio encoder 2c, an audio buffer for storing the output of the audio encoder for a system encoder 2e for multiplexing video data and audio data encoded in the video buffer 2b and audio buffer 2d, respectively, a system time clock (STC) device 2f for generating a synchronous clock signal by the encoder 2, and Coded controller 2g for controlling and managing these devices.

Every time a VOB is generated in the encoder, the encoding controller 2g sends information such as GOP information and mapping information to the controller 1 shown in FIG. Here, the GOP information contains the number of packs in the VOBU and the number of packs in the first I-picture of the VOBU. The packs mentioned here, such as the video pack (V-PACK) and audio pack (A-PACK) shown in FIG. 10, each have a fixed length of 24 bits (KB). Therefore, in this embodiment, the GOP information indicates the number of sectors allocated to the VOBU and the number of sectors allocated to the first I-picture in the VOBU.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MPEG decoder 4. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the MPEG decoder 4 includes a demultiplexer 4a for dividing an MPEG stream into a video stream and an audio stream, a video buffer 4b for temporarily storing the divided video stream, and a video buffer 4b for storing the A video decoder 4c for decoding the video stream in the video buffer 4b, an audio buffer 4d for temporarily storing the split audio stream, and an audio decoder 4e for decoding the audio stream stored in the audio buffer 4d , an STC device 4f for generating a synchronous clock signal, an adder 4g for adding an offset value to the synchronous clock signal, and a selector 4h for either selecting a synchronous clock signal or selecting a synchronous clock signal plus an offset value - 4j and send the selected signal to demultiplexer 4a, audio decoder 4e and video decoder 4c, respectively.

(2-3) Function block diagram

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the DVD recorder 10 based on component functions. Each function shown in the figure is implemented after the CPU 1a of the controller 1 executes the program in the main memory 1d to control the hardware shown in FIG. 15 .

As shown in Figure 19, DVD recorder 10 is made of disc recording instrument 100, disc reading device 101, file system device 102, recording/editing/reproducing controller 105, user interface device 106, control data management device 107, An AV data recording device 110, an AV data editing device 120, and an AV data reproducing device 130 are composed.

The disc recording apparatus 100, upon receiving the logical sector number and logical data from the sector unit of the file system device 102, records the received data on the disc. Actually, however, the disc recording apparatus 100 reads and writes logical data from and on the disc in units of ECC blocks (each block consisting of 16 sectors). If the logical data is less than 16 sectors, the disc recording apparatus 100 reads the ECC block containing the logical data, performs the ECC process, and then writes the ECC block on the disc.

The disk reading device 101, when receiving the logical sector number and the sector number from the file system device 102, reads data from a specific sector and transfers the read data to the file system device. In fact, however, the disc reading device 101 reads data in units of ECC blocks. After the read data is subjected to the ECC process, the disc reading device transfers only necessary data in the session to the file system device. This is because overhead is reduced by reading AV data in units of ECC blocks (each block consisting of 16 sectors). This is the same as for disc recording instruments.

The file system device 102 includes an AV file system device 103 mainly for writing and editing AV files, and a common file system device 104 for performing common processes for AV files and non-AV files. The file system device 102, upon receiving commands from the AV data recording apparatus 110, the AV data editing device 120, and the AV data reproducing device 130 about writing or reading files, processes the files on the optical disc at least in session units.

The recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 controls the entire DVD recorder 10 . More specifically, the controller 105 controls the display of guidance to urge the user to operate, receives an instruction from the user to respond to the guidance through the user IF device 106, and, in accordance with the user's instruction, requests the AV data recording apparatus 110, the AV data editing device 120 , or the AV data reproducing means 130 to perform operations such as re-recording of AV data, reproduction and editing of recorded AV data.

The user IF device 106 receives an instruction for operation from the user through the remote controller 6, and notifies the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 of the received user instruction.

The control data management means 107 reads the AV data management file which is non-AV data on the main memory 1d and provides information on request from any means.

The AV data recording device 110, when receiving a recording request from the controller 105, issues commands necessary for realizing the recording request to the AV file system device 103. For this purpose, the AV data recording apparatus 110 includes AV data input means 111 and file management information generation means 112 .

The AV data input unit 111 converts video and audio signals into MPEG data. That is, the AV data input means 111 encodes video and audio signals in real time. The AV data input means 111 outputs encoded MPEG data to the AV file system means 103 so that the MPEG data is recorded in the disc as an AV file. When encoding the signal, the AV data input unit 111 calculates the number of packets in each VOBU and the number of packets in the first I-picture of each VOBU in the MPEG data, and stores the calculated result in the memory (main memory 1d ) as GOP information. After the AV file is recorded in the disc, the AV data input means 111 then transfers the information to the AV file management information generation means 112 .

After recording the AV file in the disc by means of the AV data input means 111, the AV file management information generating means 112 generates VOB information, PGC information, and a title search corresponding to the recorded AV file based on the GOP information stored in the memory. Indicative characters. The generated information is used as AV file management information. The AV file management information generation means 112 also modifies the AV data management file stored in the control data management means 107, and records the modified AV data management file on the DVD-RAM disc through the file system means 102.

The AV data editing device 120, when receiving an editing request from the controller 105, issues a command required for real-time editing to the AV file system device 103.

The AV data playback device 130, upon receiving a playback request from the controller 105, issues a command necessary to implement the playback request to the AV file system device 103.

(2-4) Commands executed by the file system device 102

The following are the instructions supported by the file system device 102 .

The file system device 102 receives various instructions from the control data management device 107, the AV data recording apparatus 110, the AV data editing device 120, the AV data reproducing device 130, and the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105, and follows the received instructions Manage files.

FIG. 20 shows a list of commands supported by the AV file system device 103 and the common file system device 104 concerning file management. The operations performed by file system device 102 in response to the instructions are described below.

Create: Create a new file on the disc and return the file identifier descriptor.

Delete: Delete files from the disc.

Open: Get the file identifier to access the file recorded on the disc.

Close: Close the opened file.

Write: Record a file on the disc.

Read: Read a file from the platter.

Seek: Move within the data stream recorded on the disc.

Rename: Change the file name.

Create directory: Make a new directory on the disc.

Remove directory: Remove a directory from the disc.

File system status: query the current status of the file system.

Get Attributes: Get file attributes.

Set Properties: Change the properties of the currently opened file.

Search for discontinuity: Checks whether the specified segment contains a discontinuity boundary (region boundary), returns "true" if it contains a discontinuity boundary, and returns "false" if it does not contain a discontinuity boundary.

Merge: Merge two pieces of AV data on the disc into the data in the memory.

Split: Split the AV file on the disc into two AV files.

Shorten: Delete unnecessary parts (edge parts) of AV files on the disc.

Replacement: replace part of the AV file with the data in the memory.

The AV data recording apparatus 110, the AV data editing device 120, and the AV data reproducing device 130 realize processes such as recording, editing, and reproduction by using a combination of the above-mentioned instructions.

(3) Recording/reproducing

The operation of the DVD recorder 10 will now be described in detail. Its operations are: (3-1) recording of AV files, (3-2) generation and recording of AV file management information, (3-3) reproduction of AV data, (3-4) reproduction at a determined time, and (3-5) Special reproduction of AV data.

(3-1) Recording of AV files

For recording video/audio data, both manual recording and program-controlled recording are available. Manual recording starts immediately after the user presses the "Record" key on the remote control and sets a few items for recording. In program-controlled recording, the start and end times of the recording are programmed by the user in advance.

For example, when the user presses the "record" key on the remote controller 6, the display displays a guide image 200 under the control of the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 as shown in FIG. Although the guide image 200 is displayed on the screen when the user presses the "1" and "Select" keys on the remote controller, the guide image for setting the recording conditions ("recording time" and "recording quality" in this example) Icon 201 is displayed.

In order to set the recording time, the user moves the spotlight on the screen or on "unlimited" or "designated" by operating the cursor button on the remote control 6, and then presses the "select" button. Here, if the user selects "specify", the screen changes to a guide image for urging the user to input time by manipulating ten button keys. After the time specified by the user, the screen returns to the guide image 201 .

"Recording quality" as a recording condition relates to the bit rate and resolution of MPEG data, and has three types: "high", "standard" and "time guarantee". "High quality" has a bit rate of 6Mbps and a resolution of 720x480 pixels; "standard" has 3Mbps and 360x480 pixels, and "time guaranteed" quality has 1.5Mbps and 360x240 pixels.

Here, it is assumed that the user selects the quality of "Unlimited" and "Time Guaranteed" on the guide image 201, and then presses the "Record" button on the guide image 202.

When such a selection is made, the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 instructs the AV data recording apparatus 110 to record as specified. Upon receiving the instruction, the AV data recording apparatus 110 starts the recording process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the recording process performed by the AV data recording apparatus 110.

In the case of manual recording, a notification that the user has pressed the “record” button is sent to the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 through the IF device 106 .

When the notification is received, the controller 105 allocates a continuous recording area whose size is larger than the predetermined amount (about 7 MB) described previously (step 220). More specifically, the controller 105 accesses the vacancy map and the continuous recording area management table to detect unallocated continuous sector ranges. The controller 105 then allocates a new contiguous recording area consisting of unallocated contiguous session ranges for recording. In doing so, when other AV data has been recorded in the disc and when the data to be recorded continues logically from the existing AV data, the controller 105 allocates a continuous recording range which has been allocated from the existing AV data. The contiguous recording area is extended, if this is possible.

The recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 transmits to the AV data input device 111 the file identifier and the quality parameter indicating "time guarantee" designated as the recording condition. The AV data input means 111 instructs the MPEG encoder 2 to start encoding video and audio data of a predetermined channel received through the antenna 9 and supplies the encoded MPEG data to the track buffer 3a (step 221).

The recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 issues the continuous recording area "create" command determined to be reallocated to the common file system device 104 (step 222). When receiving the command, the common file system device 104 returns the file identification descriptor when it may create the file in the reallocated contiguous recording area.

While the above-mentioned process is in progress, the AV data input device 111 issues an "open" command to the AV file system device 103 (step 223) so that the AV file system device 103 will give the file label given by the controller 105 and the information on the file entry Storage to a work memory (not shown) [information stored in the work memory is also referred to as "Fd" (File Descriptor)].

Every time a VOBU is encoded, the AV data input means 111 calculates and stores the number of packs in each VOBU and the number of packs in the first reference picture (I-picture) in each VOBU into the main memory 1d as GOP information. The AV data input device 111 continues to complete this process until it receives a "stop" command from the controller 105 (step 224). Fig. 23 shows an example of GOP information. The figure shows GOP information stored in the main memory 1d when VOBUs up to VOBU No. 22 have been encoded. It should be noted here that in the present embodiment, each VOBU contains video data for 15 frames (or 30 fields) corresponding to approximately 0.5 seconds of reproduction.

Furthermore, the AV data input device 111 issues a "write" command to the AV file system device 103 every time the track buffer 3a stores a predetermined amount of MEPG data (steps 228 and 229). Here, it is assumed that a "write" command is issued to the system device 103 along with three specified parameters. Three parameters indicate respectively: the command Fd by "open" as described above has been opened; the amount of data to be recorded; and the buffer in which the data is stored (in this example, the track buffer 3a). The Fd determined by the parameters contains information such as the file entry, the extent storage location, and the extent length. This information indicates the contiguous recording area allocated in step 220 . During the period between opening and closing of Fd, every time a "write" command is issued, Fd is modified every time. For the second or subsequent issue of the "write" command, new data is supplementally written following the already recorded data.

When receiving the "stop" command (step 224), the AV data input device 111 issues a "write" command (step 230). The AV data input device 111 then issues an instruction of "OFF" (step 231). The AV data input means 111 additionally notifies the AV file management information generating means 112 that the recording of the AV file (VOB) has been terminated (step 232) to end the entire process. Note that a "write" command is issued in step 230 to record the remaining data in the track buffer on the disc. In addition, the "close" command issued in step 225 is used to write the Fd in the working memory back to the DVD-RAM disk as the file label, file entry, etc. on the DVD-RAM disk.

In the example shown in Fig. 23, the case of manual recording is described. In the case of program recording, a notification that the "record" button has been pressed is transmitted to the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 through the user IF device 106 together with the time designated for program recording. The controller 105 allocates a continuous recording area corresponding to the designated time period.

(3-2) Generation and recording of AV file management information

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the process of generating and recording AV file management information by means of the AV file management information generating means 112.

As shown in the figure, when the AV file management information generating means 112 receives the notification that the recording of the AV file has ended from the AV data input means 111 (step 251), it relies on the AV data input means 111 according to the data stored in the memory (main memory) The GOP information in 1d) also generates VOB information based on the VOBU number corresponding to the starting position of the link retching where the AV file is redistributed (step 252).

(a) VOB general information and time map information including, as shown in FIG. 11, (b) time map general information, (c) VOBU table, and (d) time map table are made as follows. (a) VOB general information (VOB identifier, VOB reproduction time)

When the file management table has been retained in the control data management means 107, the AV file management information generation means 112 allocates unallocated VOB identifiers (for example, next VOB identifiers). When the file management table is not held in the control data management means 107, the AV file management information generation means 112 assigns No. 1 VOB as the VOB identifier, obtains the playback time of the AV file from the AV data input means 111, and generates VOB general information of the information.

(b) Time map general information (time map number, VOBU map number, TMU, TM_OFS)

The AV file management information generating means 112 calculates the time map number by dividing the VOB reproduction time by TMU, for example, TMU is set to 60 seconds. The AV file management information generation means 112 then sets VOBU map data to the number of VOBUs contained in the GOP information, and sets TM_OFS to "0" (in the case of new recording).

(c) VOBU table (standard image size, VOBU playback time, VOBU size)

Since the GOP information shown in FIG. 23 directly shows the size of the reference picture and the size of the VOBU, the AV file management information generating means 112 adds the reproduction time of each VOBU to the GOP information to make a VOBU table. In this embodiment, since each VOBU contains 15 frames (or 30 fields) of video data, each VOBU is reproduced for about 0.5 seconds (15 frame time period). It should be noted here that because the reproduction time of the last VOBU is different from other VOBUs in the AV file, the AV file management information generation means 112 obtains the reproduction time of the last VOBU from the AV data input means 111 to set the obtained time in the VOBU table.

(d) Time mapping table (VOBU mapping number, time difference TM_DIFF, and VOBU address)

The AV file management information generating means 112 sequentially adds up the VOBU reproduction times in the VOBU table. Whenever the result of the addition matches a time that is an integral multiple of TMU, the AV file management information generating means 112 detects the VOBU corresponding to this time. In this way, the AV file management information generation means 112 obtains the number of VOBU maps corresponding to each time map, and obtains the time difference from the following formula:

Time difference = (integral multiple of TMU) - (sum).

The VOBU address is obtained by adding the size of each VOBU to the "VOBU mapping number" and the start position of the continuous recording area, which is obtained from the AV data input device 111.

When the VOB information is generated as described above, the AV file management information generating means 112 generates PGC information of the title recorded via the AV data input means 111 . In program recording, the AV data input unit 111 generates one VOBU. In this case, the PGC information contains a single unit that determines the VOB start time and end time.

When the user pauses the recording, it is preferable to create different cells to determine different playback times before and after the pause. This is because the AV data input device 111 (MPEG encoder 2) comes to a complete stop and this is an important gap between images to the user. When this happens, the AV file management information generating means 112 generates two or more units by the obtained time to start pausing.

In addition, the AV file management information generating means 112 generates a title search designating character indicating the generated PGC information (step 254).

If the file already exists, the AV file management information generating means 112 then issues an "open" command and a "read" command to the file system device 102 to read the AV data management file (step 255). However, the AV data management file may not be read when the control data management means 107 saves the file.

The AV file management information generation means 112 modifies the read AV data management file by adding the VOB information, PGC information, and the title search indicator characters generated in steps 252-254 to the AV data management file (step 256). The AV file management information generator 112 then issues a "write" command and a "close" command to the file system device 102 to record (write) the modified AV data management file on the disc (step 257). With this operation, the process of generating and recording AV file management information ends. Here, one area is assigned to the AV data management file in units of extents because the AV data management file is a non-AV file.

FIG. 25 shows a time map table and a VOBU table generated from the GOP information shown in FIG. 23 . In the figure, the TMU is set to 5 seconds for convenience. In addition, the VOBU reproduction time is represented by the number of field times (1/60 second).

(3-3) Reproduction of AV data

During reproduction, while the guide image 200 is displayed when the user presses the "2" and "Select" buttons on the remote controller, the guide image 203 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. While the guide image 203 is displayed, the controller 105 transmits the title name (or title search indicator number) to the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 when the user presses the "1" and "Select" buttons. In this example, this causes Title A to be displayed.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the procedure for performing normal reproduction by the AV data reproducing apparatus 130.

In FIG. 26, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 accesses the AV data management file held by the control data management apparatus 107 for the transferred title name (or title search designator number) to obtain PGC information and VOB information (step 281). In addition, the AV data reproducing device 130 issues an "open" command to the file system device 102 to specify the AV file shown in the obtained VOB information (step 282).

The AV data reproducing apparatus 130 then reproduces Title A by repeating a loop ranging from step 283 to step 290 as many times as the number of cells set in the PGC information.

More specifically, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 converts the start and end times of the cells into start addresses (sector addresses) and end addresses, respectively, by accessing the time map information (step 284). The AV data reproduction device 130 issues a command of "read" to the file system device 102 to designate the time. This enables the disc reading device 101 to start reading the data segments in the VOB (corresponding to the cell) between the start and end addresses.

The AV data reproducing means 130 then decodes the AV data in the track buffer 3a, which stores a predetermined amount of AV data at a time until the reading of the current cell ends (steps 286-288). When the disc reading device 101 finishes reading the unit, the AV data reproducing device 130 decodes the data in the track buffer 3a (step 289). The reproduction of the unit ends with this step.

After all the units in the PGC information are decoded through the above process, the AV data reproducing device 130 issues a "close" command to the file system device 102 to end the reproducing process.

(3-4) Reappear at a certain time

"Reproduction at a fixed time" is reproduction performed when the user designates a start time and an end time within the range of the reproduction period of the title on the guide image 205 shown in FIG. 21 .

Fig. 27 is a flow chart showing the reproduction process by designated time.

In FIG. 27, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 accesses the AV data management file held by the control data management apparatus 107 for the transmitted title name (or title search designator number) to acquire PGC information and VOB information (step 295). The AV data reproducing apparatus 130 further converts the start and end times specified by the user into a start address and an end address, respectively, by accessing the time map information (step 296).

The AV data reproducing device 130 issues an "open" command to the file system device 102 to designate the AV file shown in the obtained VOB information (step 297). The AV data reproduction device 130 also issues a "read" command to the file system device 102 to designate the resulting start and end addresses. This enables the disc reading device 102 to start reading data segments in the VOB between the start and end addresses.

Subsequently, each time the track buffer 3a stores a predetermined amount of AV data, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 decodes the AV data in the track buffer 3a until the reading of the cell ends (steps 299-301). When the disc reading device 101 finishes reading, the AV data reproducing device 130 decodes the data in the track buffer 3a (step 302), and issues a "close" command to the file system device 102 (step 303). The reproduction process ends with this step.

(3-5) Special reproduction of AV data

In the reproduction process shown in Figures 26 and 27, when the user presses the "fast" key or the "rewind" key on the remote control, the special reproduction process starts, and when the user presses the "play" key, the process ends .

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the special reproduction process performed by the AV data reproduction apparatus 130.

The AV data reproducing apparatus 130, upon receiving notification from the recording/editing/reproducing controller 105 that the user has pressed the "fast forward" or "rewind" key, sets the skip time Δt for special reproduction (step 310) . For example, the jump time Δt is set to “t1 second” for the “fast forward” key, and “−1 second” for the “rewind” key. During the special playback period, the jump time can be extended by "+1 second" and "-1 second" respectively when the "fast forward" or "rewind" key is pressed.

In subsequent steps, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 pauses the MPEG decoder 4, obtains the pause time "ts" from the MPEG decoder 4, and clears the track buffer 3a (steps 311-313).

Whenever the pause time "ts" is modified by the jump time Δt, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 then executes the process ranging from step 315 to step 325 until an instruction to end the special reproduction is input (for example, pressing the "play" key ).

More specifically, when the modified time "ts" does not exceed the end time of the reproduced unit, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 accesses the time map information to identify the VOBU map corresponding to the time "ts" (step 318), by accessing the corresponding The time map and VOBU calculate the start address of the VOBU map, and read the reference image size from the identified VOBU map (step 319). When the modified time "ts" is past the end time of the currently reproduced unit and there is a next unit, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 modifies the time "ts" so that it exceeds the time of the next unit with a time obtained from a certain formula. At the start time (steps 315-317), the start address of the VOBU and the picture size of the reference picture described above are then obtained.

The AV data reproducing device 130 issues an instruction to search_discontinuous_AV_block to the file system device 102 to determine the obtained initial address and the reference image size indicating the data segment (step 320). This command is issued to check whether the reference image recording area exceeds a boundary such as a boundary between areas, that is, whether the reference image recording range is a continuous area or a discontinuous area (step 320). When it is judged that the area is discontinuous, the AV data reproducing apparatus 130 checks the VOBU map adjacent to the current VOBU (step 322), and reads the station address and reference picture size (step 323).

The AV data reproducing device 130 issues the instruction of "reading" to the file system device 102 to determine the read start address and the size of the reference image. Once the instruction is received, the file system device 102 stores the reference image data determined by the instruction into Track buffer 3a. The reference picture data is then reproduced by means of the MPEG decoder 4 .

The above-described process is repeated until an instruction to end the special reproduction is input, during each repetition the time "ts" is modified by the jump time Δt. When an instruction to end the special reproduction is input (step 325), the AV data reproduction apparatus 130 ends the special reproduction process and returns to the previous normal reproduction, that is, to step 283 shown in FIG. 26 or the step shown in FIG. 27 296 (step 326). In doing so, time "ts" is set as the start time of normal reproduction.

As described above, reference picture addresses corresponding to times different from the jump time are sequentially obtained according to the time map information. In addition, the time map information includes a time map table and a VOBU table in the end of the layer in which the reproduction times of all VOBUs and their storage locations (sector addresses) are related to each other. With this structure, it is unnecessary for the disc to record the reproduction time storage locations (sector addresses) of all VOBUs. This reduces the amount of data recorded in one disc, and enables reproduction of video/audio data when the video/audio data is recorded on the disc.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the DVD recorder 10 is constructed on the premise of being used as a substitute for a home-use video tape recorder. However, it is not limited to this, and when a DVD-RAM disc is used as a recording medium for a computer, the following configuration is also possible. That is to say, as a DVD-RAM drive apparatus, the disk access device 3 is connected to the bus of the computer through the IF of so-called SCSI or IDE. Also, when the OS and application programs are executed on computer hardware, components other than the disk access device are also implemented or operated. In this case, the disc recording apparatus 100, the disc reading device 101, and the file system device 102 are implemented mainly as enhanced OS or OS functions. In addition, other components other than these means are also implemented mainly as functions of application programs. Various commands supported by the file system device 102 are equivalent to service commands, if supplied to application system call commands.

In this embodiment, it is described that one VOB is recorded per AV file. However, one file can record multiple VOBs. For example, this can be implemented by virtue of a device in which the AV data management file (TRTW.IFO) records and manages the size of each VOB contained in the AV file or corresponds to an offset address from the start of the AV file.

The reference picture size can be determined as the end address of the video pack in which the last data of the first coded reference picture (first I-picture) of the VOBU is recorded. Yes, the post address is measured against the relative write file sector address from the first sector of this VOBU.

While the invention has been fully described, various changes and modifications are of course possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Possibility of industrial application

As apparent from the above description, the optical disk recording apparatus of the present invention is suitable for generating a reduced amount of special reproduction information for special reproduction such as fast forward and rewind when AV data is recorded on the disk in real time. The optical disc of the present invention is also suitable for recording special reproduction information together with AV data. The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is operable on a computer including a recording/reproducing device for an optical disc, and is suitable for generating a reduced number of recordings such as fast forward and rewind when AV data is recorded on the disc in real time. Special reproduction information for special reproduction.

Claims (12)

1. a reproducting method is used for beginning to reproduce the object video in a data zone that is recorded in CD in a reproduction start time of user's setting, and described reproducting method comprises:

A read step is used for reading a table from described CD, and described table comprises:

One be included in the time map information and the very first time relevant table with described object video and

One is included in the time map information and relevant with described object video, second timetable that comprises a plurality of clauses and subclauses, wherein each clauses and subclauses is relevant with video object unit separately and comprise the recovery time and the size of data of corresponding video object unit, wherein said very first time table comprise indication corresponding to the address of the preservation position of the video object unit of reproducing point and be used to indicate which clauses and subclauses with corresponding to the relevant indicator of the video object unit of described reproduction point, described reproduction point differs a schedule time unit of growing than the maximum reproduction cycle of video object unit;

A controlled step, be used to control described very first time table and described second timetable of described read step with reference to the table that reads, preserve the position for one of a video object unit in a plurality of video units of identification formation object video, described video object unit is corresponding to the reproduction start time of being set by described user, and reads video object unit from the preservation position that is identified; And

One is reproduced step, is used to reproduce the described video object unit that reads.

2. reproducting method as claimed in claim 1, each clauses and subclauses of wherein said second timetable also comprise the size of data of first benchmark image, and

Described read step reads the data that equate with the size of data of described first benchmark image from the preservation position of described identification, and provides described reading of data as first benchmark image to described reproduction step.

3. recording method is used for video data that receiving video data in chronological order, compression received so that generate the object video that comprises a video object unit sequence, and the object video that is generated is write on the CD, and described method comprises:

Generate instruction, so that generate very first time relevant table and relevant second timetable with object video with object video, described second timetable comprises a plurality of clauses and subclauses, each clauses and subclauses is relevant with corresponding video object unit and comprise the recovery time and the size of data of corresponding video object unit, wherein said generation instruction is used for indication and generates described very first time table, thereby comprise indication corresponding to the address of the preservation position of the video object unit of reproducing point and be used to indicate which clauses and subclauses with corresponding to the relevant indicator of video object unit that reproduces, described reproduction point differs a schedule time unit than the maximum reproduction cycle length of video object unit; And

Write command, first and second timetables that are used for being generated write on CD.

4. recording method as claimed in claim 3 also is used to generate a plurality of object videos, and wherein said generation instruction is used for indication and generates:

A plurality of described very first time tables, each with a plurality of object videos corresponding one relevant and comprise that indication is corresponding to reproducing point, the address of the preservation position of the video object unit in object video separately be used for indicating which clauses and subclauses with at the relevant indicator of the video object unit corresponding to this reproduction point of object video, this reproduction point differs a schedule time unit longer than the maximum reproduction cycle of video object unit; With

A plurality of described second timetables, each with a plurality of object videos corresponding one relevant and comprise a plurality of clauses and subclauses, wherein each clauses and subclauses is relevant with a corresponding video object unit of corresponding object video and comprise the recovery time and the size of data of the corresponding video object unit of corresponding object video.

5. recording method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said generation instruction is used for indication and generates:

A plurality of time map in each very first time table, each time map is reproduced point corresponding to corresponding one that reproduces in the point, and each time map comprises an indicator in the described indicator, an indicator indication in the described indicator is corresponding to clauses and subclauses of described second timetable of the corresponding video object unit of each reproduction point, an address of corresponding video object unit, and be illustrated in the differential information of the difference between each reproduction starting time that reproduces point and video object unit accordingly.

6. recording method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said generation instruction is used for indication and generates a plurality of time migrations, and each time migration is relevant with corresponding object video and be illustrated in first reproduction and the difference between the starting time of first video object unit of object video accordingly in the reproduction process of corresponding object video.

7. recording method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said generation instruction also is used to indicate the rise time map information, this time map information is included in time map number and the number of entries in each second timetable in each very first time table, and described write command indication writes CD with described time map information.

8. recording method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said generation instruction also is used for indication and generates second timetable, and each clauses and subclauses of each second timetable also comprise the size of data of one first benchmark image.

9. recording method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said generation instruction is used for indication and generates:

A plurality of time map in each very first time table, each time map is reproduced point corresponding to corresponding one that reproduces in the point, and each time map comprises an indicator in the described indicator, an indicator indication in the described indicator is corresponding to clauses and subclauses of described second timetable of the corresponding video object unit of each reproduction point, an address of corresponding video object unit, and be illustrated in the differential information of the difference between each reproduction starting time that reproduces point and video object unit accordingly.

10. recording method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said generation instruction is used to indicate and generates the time migration for this object video, and described time migration indication first is reproduced point and the difference between the starting time of first video object unit of object video in the reproduction process of this object video.

11. recording method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said generation instruction also is used to indicate the rise time map information, this time map information is included in time map number and the number of entries in second timetable in the very first time table, and described write command is also indicated described time map information is write CD.

12. recording method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said generation instruction also is used for indication and generates second timetable, and each clauses and subclauses of described second timetable also comprise the size of data of first benchmark image.

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